SL Cricket say sports ministry vetoed WC selections

New Delhi, Nov 26: The feud between the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) and the country’s Ministry of Sports has escalated after SLC media releases on November 24 accused the ministry of misleading the public over how funds for the board were spent and interfering in World Cup 2023 selection.
The developments come after the ICC announced that Sri Lanka would be allowed to continue playing international cricket during their suspension from ICC membership. In a media release, the SLC accused the Ministry of Sports of failing to approve both Wanindu Hasaranga’s and Dushmantha Chameera’s selections for the 2023 World Cup.
“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to reiterate that Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera were included in a 15-member squad selected by the Sri Lanka Cricket Selectors to take part in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023,” the release read. “This was done despite the fact that both players were recovering from injuries.
“Sri Lanka Cricket, despite its intention to send Hasaranga and Chameera to the World Cup with the plan to play them at some point in the tournament after the duo recover from injuries, did not succeed as the sports ministry did not approve the sending of the two players.”
Hasaranga aggravated a hamstring injury before the start of the tournament, while Chameera suffered a pectoral injury. (Agencies)